Serve the society with the mind of an ascetic—Mohan Bhagwat
Tapaswi, meaning an ascetic, is the basic resonance in the minds of people who walk on the path of social development through focussed and continued efforts in the chosen fields to alleviate or better the lives of many.
Our constant endeavour is to identify and support such initiatives through providing them with a platform to showcase their work and interact with corporates and individuals who can mobilise resources to assist and support the activity of mid/small size NGOs and social initiatives.
A one day focussed event was organised on October 1 at MCA Recreation Club Bandra, Mumbai in presence of eminent personalities from social, corporate, academia and professional walks of life. To make this event special, stimulating and address issues of national interest, the event was graced by the presence of RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Smt. Nileema Mishra, winner of Ramon Magsaysay Award, 2011, Shri Popatrao Pawar, Sarpanch, Hiwre Bazaar Gram Panchayat, a total of 35 NGOs from different fields were given an opportunity to make a presentation to the audience and 30 CSR representatives about their organisations and the work being carried out.
President of Tapaswi Charitable Trust Smt. Poonam Mahajan Rao welcomed the dignitaries. In her welcome speech she emphasised on the need to follow a model of inclusive social development through active participation by corporates and able individuals. She also suggested that as a country we should strive to reach a scenario where all corporates contribute at least 2-3 per cent of their annual income to social development. Currently it is not even 1-2 per cent.
Chief guest and main speaker Shri Mohan Bhagwat noted the good work being carried out by social sector and emphasised on the different approaches of the government machinery and social sector in real development process. He said, “While the government would focus at creating the structure and systemic mechanism for developmental work, it is for the social sector and individuals to go beyond the normal to help reach the effects of development to the last man”. He also emphasised on the role of human values and familial ties in overall development of the country. He sat through a few presentations being made by the NGOs.
Magsaysay Award winner for year 2011 Smt. Nileema Mishra was felicitated at the function by Shri Bhagwat. While expressing her sentiments she said, “A lot of work carried out by many NGOs goes unnoticed and loses its effectiveness because it is not supported by ample resources. A NGO-CSR platform like this can help interaction between the masses and corporate”. She also showcased the work done through her Self-Help Groups and outlined future programmes and passionately stressed upon the need for women empowerment in development of country.
Sarpanch of Hiwre Bazaar Gram Panchayat Shri Popat Rao Pawar gave an excellent presentation on the transformation his village has seen in last eight years. It was astonishing to see how mission of single man can transform lives of thousands of people by collective development and restoration of natural resources. He also stressed the need to recharge the national resources for future generations. Development of Hiwre Bazaar Gram Panchayat has become an internationally renowned model for inclusive and collective development.
